PUINSETT 

Discourse,  on  the  Objects  and 

Importance  of  the  National  Institution 

for  the  Promotion  of  Science. 


California 
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11 
S64P7 


DISCOURSE, 


THE    OBJECTS    AND    IMPORTANCE 


THE  NATIONAL  INSTITUTION 


PROMOTION   OF   SCIENCE, 


ESTABLISHED    AT    WASHINGTON,    1840, 


DELIVERED  AT  THE  FIRST  ANNIVERSARY. 


BY  JOEL  R.  POINSETT, 

SECRETARY  OF  WAR  AND  SENIOR  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  INSTmJTION. 


*•  .     FORCE,     PRINTER. 
1641. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 

WASHINGTON,  January  5,  1841. 

SIR:  The  undersigned  Committee,  appointed  to  make  arrangements  for 
the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  National  Institution  for  the  Promotion  of  Sci- 
ence, and  the  delivery  of  an  Address  upon  the  occasion,  in  common  with  the 
large  and  highly  respectable  auditory  who  attended  the  delivery  of  your  Dis. 
course,  on  the  4th  instant,  have  received  the  highest  gratification  from  the 
able  manner  in  which  the  duty  assigned  to  you  by  the  Society  was  performed. 
Believing  that  no  better  mode  of  making  known  the  objects  of  this  Insti- 
tution can  be  adopted  than  by  the  publication  of  your  excellent  Discourse,  we 
pray  that  you  will  yield  to  our  wish,  by  placing  it  at  the  disposal  of  the  Insti- 
tution for  that  purpose. 

In  expressing  to  you  the  highly  intellectual  gratification  we  derived  from 

the  delivery  of  your  Address,  we  take  the  occasion  to  offer  to  you,  in  behalf 

of  the  Society  and  for  ourselves,  our  warmest  thanks  for  the  service  which, 

on  this  occasion,  you  have  so  ably  rendered  to  the  interests  of  the  Institution. 

We  are,  Sir,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servants, 

ALEX.  MACOMB,          ROB'T  LAWRENCE, 
N.  TOWSCN,  JNO.  M.  WYSE, 

W.  W.  SEATON,  JNO.  T.  COCHRANE. 

PETER  FORCE, 
To  Hon.  JOEL  R.  POINSETT. 


WASHINGTON,  January  6,  1841. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  commu- 
nication of  the  5th  instant,  requesting  a  copy  of  the  Discourse  delivered  be- 
fore the  National  Institution  for  Ihe  Promotion  of  Science,  on  its  annual 
meeting. 

In  acceding  to  your  request,  which  I  do  very  cheerfully,  I  beg  leave  to  ex- 
press my  grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  indulgent  and  very  flattering 
terms  in  which  it  is  conveyed,  and  to  assure  you,  that  it  will  be  a  source  or 
great  gratification  to  me  to  have,  in  any  manner,  contributed  to  the  success 
of  the  National  Institution  for  the  Promotion  of  Science. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Gentlemen,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  R.  POINSETT. 

Gen.  A.  MACOMB,          ROBEIIT  LAWRENCE, 

Gen.  N.  TOWSON,          JOHN  M.  WYSE, 

W  W.  SEATON,  JOHN  T.  COCHRANE,  Esqs., 

PETER  FORCE,  Committee. 


DISCOURSE. 


THE  duty  assigned  me  on  this  occasion  is  of  such  a 
character  that  I  regret  it  has  not  devolved  on  some  one 
more  capable  of  performing  it.  To  do  justice  to  the 
subject  requires  more  knowledge  than  I  possess,  and 
more  leisure  than  I  now  enjoy ;  and  I  feel  constrained 
to  solicit  your  indulgence,  while  I  explain  the  origin  of 
the  Institution  for  the  Promotion  of  Science  and  the 
Useful  Arts,  and  attempt  to  describe,  as  plainly  and 
briefly  as  the  subject  will  permit,  its  objects  and  im- 
portance. 

The  lovers  of  science,  literature,  and  the  fine  arts, 
residing  in  this  District,  felt  sensibly  the  absence  of 
those  resources  which  are  found  elsewhere,  and  are 
necessary  for  the  attainment  of  knowledge.  They  were 
mortified  to  perceive  that  the  great  advantages  possessed 
by  the  public  authorities  at  Washington  were  neglect- 
ed, and  that,  at  the  seat  of  Government  of  this  great 
nation,  there  existed  fewer  means  than  in  any  other  city 
of  the  Union  of  prosecuting  those  studies,  which,  while 
they  impart  dignity  and  enjoyment  to  existence,  lead  to 
the  most  useful  practical  results.  They  believed  it  to 
be  their  duty  to  arouse  the  attention  of  Government  to 
these  deficiencies,  and,  at  all  events,  to  address  them- 


selves  to  the  task  of  supplying  them,  as  far  as  could  be 
done  by  their  individual  and  combined  exertions.  For 
these  purposes  they  have  formed  an  association,  and 
applied  themselves  to  collect  specimens  of  geology  and 
mineralogy,  and  other  objects  of  natural  history,  and, 
for  the  short  period  of  its  existence,  the  efforts  of  the 
Institution  have  been  eminently  successful.  They  have 
entered  into  correspondence  with  other  learned  societies, 
and  have  been  encouraged  to  proceed  by  their  appro- 
bation, and  have  profited  by  their  generous  coopera- 
tion. They  have  invited  the  assistance  of  their  fellow- 
citizens  in  the  most  distant  States  and  Territories,  and 
hope,  by  their  aid,  to  collect  documents  and  facts  illus- 
trative of  the  early  history  of  our  country,  specimens  of 
its  geology  and  of  its  mineral  and  vegetable  produc- 
tions, and,  if  not  to  preserve  the  animals  and  plants  them- 
selves, which  are  passing  away  before  the  progress  of 
settlement  and  cultivation,  at  least  to  perpetuate  their 
forms,  and  the  memory  of  their  existence.  They  hope 
to  be  able  to  illustrate  these  subjects  and  others  con- 
nected with  them  by  a  series  of  gratuitous  lectures, 
and  entertain  a  confident  expectation  that  numbers, 
whose  duties  compel  them  annually  to  assemble  here, 
will  view  with  interest  collections  of  the  natural  produc- 
tions of  America,  drawn  from  every  State  and  Terri- 
tory in  the  Union,  and,  becoming  sensible  of  their  utility, 
will  contribute  on  their  return  to  swell  their  amount, 
and  to  spread  throughout  the  country  a  taste  for  literary 
and  scientific  pursuits. 

The  Institution  for  the  Promotion  of  Science  and  the 
Useful  Arts,  will,  as  its  name  indicates,  embrace  every 
branch  of  knowledge  ;  and  its  members,  believing  such 


a  combination  essential  to  its  success,  have  divided  them- 
selves into  eight  scientific  classes,  namely :  Astronomy. 
Geography,  and  Natural  Philosophy ;  Natural  History; 
Geology  and  Mineralogy ;  Chemistry ;  the  application 
of  Science  to  the  useful  Arts ;  Agriculture ;  American 
History  and  Antiquities ;  and  Literature  and  the  Fine 
Arts.  It  is  of  these  branches  of  science,  and  of  some 
of  their  most  important  divisions,  that  it  is  my  intention 
to  treat,  and  to  endeavor  to  explain  their  effect  upon  the 
physical,  moral,  and  social  condition  of  mankind. 

During  a  long  period  the  sciences  were  independent 
of  each  other  in  their  progress.  It  was  essential  that 
facts  should  be  discovered,  carefully  studied,  well  con- 
sidered, analyzed,  and  classed,  in  order  to  obtain  a 
knowledge  of  their  causes  and  first  principles,  and,  by 
that  means,  advance  each  science  to  a  certain  degree 
before  their  points  of  contact,  the  mutual  assistance  they 
afford,  and  the  influence  they  exercise  upon  each  other, 
could  be  fully  understood.  It  is  especially  since  the 
end  of  the  last  century  that  the  progress  of  the  human 
mind,  in  the  study  of  the  sciences,  has  so  wonderfully 
developed  their  reciprocal  relations — advantages  due 
altogether  to  the  alliance  of  the  synthetic  and  analytic 
methods  followed  by  Gallileo  and  his  disciples,  and 
systematized  by  Bacon.  Thus  it  is  that  chemistry  and 
natural  philosophy  have  made  such  rapid  progress. 
They  cannot  move  forward  one  without  the  other:  and 
they  shed  their  light  on  physiology,  on  the  arts  and 
manufactures,  and  on  every  branch  of  natural  history. 

Not  only  do  the  sciences  mutually  aid  each  other, 
but  the  arts  and  sciences  do  so  likewise.  Some  of  the 
arts  depend  for  their  execution  upon  an  intimate  ac- 


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quaintance  with  the  higher  branches  of  science,  if  not 
in  the  workman,  at  least  in  the  person  who  directs  his 
operations ;  and  there  are  important  branches  of  science 
which  could  make  no  progress,  if  the  philosopher  who 
studies  them  had  not  found  the  arts  sufficiently  ad- 
vanced to  supply  him  with  the  instruments  and  appa- 
ratus of  which  he  stands  in  need.  It  is  especially  to 
those  arts  which  are  susceptible  of  great  perfection  and 
exactness  in  their  execution,  that  the  sciences  are  most 
indebted.  The  brilliant  discoveries  in  modern  times 
in  electricity,  magnetism,  optics  and  astronomy,  and  in 
chemistry,  physiology,  and  natural  history,  would  still 
have  been  in  their  infancy,  if  the  arts  had  not  provided 
the  necessary  astronomical  and  mathematical  instru- 
ntents,  and  the  thousand  ingenious  inventions  which 
furnish  the  philosophical  apparatus  of  the  scientific  in- 
vestigator. 

The  rapid  and  extraordinary  improvements  which 
the  world  has  experienced,  during  the  last  half  century, 
in  commercial  intercourse,  in  manufactures,  and  in  all 
that  contributes  to  civilization  and  to  the  comforts  and 
conveniences  of  life,  are  due  altogether  to  the  application 
of  science  to  useful  purposes,  and  of  the  useful  arts  to 
the  progress  of  science.  In  this  march  of  intellect,  so 
far  as  it  leads  to  practical  results,  our  country  has  kept 
pace  with  the  most  enlightened  nations  of  the  world, 
and,  in  many  instances,  the  application  of  scientific 
principles  to  the  most  beneficial  uses,  has  been  effected 
by  the  ingenuity  and  great  powers  of  combination  of 
our  own  fellow-citizens.  Every  river  valley,  the  shores 
of  every  inland  sea,  and  the  coasts  of  every  ocean,  are 
largely  indebted  for  the  advantages  they  now  enjoy,  to 


the  success  of  Fulton,  in  applying  a  well-known  prin- 
ciple to  the  great  purposes  of  navigation.  Whatever 
may  be  the  advantages  which  other  nations  have  de- 
rived from  this  use  of  steam,  (and  they  are  doubtless 
great,)  our  own  vast  territories,  watered  as  they  are  by 
noble  rivers  and  extensive  inland  seas,  received  from  it 
an  impulse  which  advanced  them  centuries  on  their 
road  to  wealth  and  power.  Labor-saving  machinery, 
invented  by  our  countrymen,  is  not  only  profitably  em- 
ployed at  home,  but  is  to  be  found  in  almost  all  the 
manufactories  in  Europe.  But  while  the  merit  of  fer- 
tile invention  is  accorded  to  us  by  all,  we  are  reproached 
for  not  cultivating  the  principles  on  which  these  inven- 
tions themselves  are  based,  and  for  neglecting  some  of 
the  most  important  branches  of  science.  M.  De  Toc- 
queville,  who  has  so  ably  depicted  our  institutions,  af- 
fects to  consider  America  as  being  still  a  province  of 
England,  in  this  particular  ;  and  the  absence  of  original 
efforts  in  literature,  philosophy,  and  the  fine  arts,  in  our 
country,  has  led  to  the  assertion,  by  others,  that  demo- 
cracy is  fatal  to  them  ;  and  that  where  its  spirit  spreads, 
they  will  take  flight.  Although  these  charges  and  as- 
sertions are  much  exaggerated,  they  cannot  be  alto- 
gether denied.  It  is,  however,  incorrect  to  attribute 
this  to  democracy,  which,  so  far  from  being  inimical  to 
science,  renders  the  mind  independent  in  thought  and 
action — invigorating  and  fitting  it  for  apy  pursuit.  The 
causes  are  to  be  found  in  the  circumstances  of  the  coun- 
try, which  compel  men  to  enter  early  on  the  theatre  of 
life :  there  is  little  leisure  in  youth  for  the  acquisi- 
tion of  the  exact  sciences,  and  for  men  of  more  ad- 
vanced age,  the  opportunities  and  means  are  too  rarely 
B 


10 

presented  for  the  successful  prosecution  of  sucli  studies. 
The  disposition  is  not  wanting,  and  if  we  are  behind 
Europe  in  the  practice  and  knowledge  of  astronomy, 
geography,  chemistry,  geology,  mineralogy,  and  all  the 
branches  of  natural  history,  it  is  owing  to  the  condition 
of  our  country,  which  requires  all  her  sons  to  labor, 
and  does  not  admit  of  a  class  of  learned  men  of  leisure  ; 
and  in  some  measure,  also,  to  the  want  of  such  an  In- 
stitution as  ours.  For  the  success  of  these  pursuits,  a 
central  establishment  is  essential,  where  the  student 
from  any  part  of  our  vast  country,  after  passing  through 
the  usual  course  at  college,  if  destined  for  a  learned 
profession,  may  resort  to  receive  instruction  in  the  higher 
branches  of  science,  and  where  he  will  find  instruments, 
collections,  books,  and  instructors,  provided  for  his  use, 
by  the  munificence  of  individuals  or  the  patronage  of 
his  Government.  And  here  I  would  remark,  that  some 
of  these  branches  of  knowledge,  and  the  highest  among 
them,  cannot  be  cultivated  and  rendered  extensively 
useful  without  the  aid  of  Government.  Astronomical 
observations,  to  be  relied  upon  by  the  navigator,  must 
derive  a  character  of  authenticity  from  the  Government 
itself.  Individuals  may  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the 
science,  and  possess  the  best  books  and  instruments,  and 
occupy  themselves  with  this  delightful  pursuit:  they 
may  become  good  observers  and  make  accurate  calcu- 
lations, but  without  the  stamp  of  authenticity,  which  a 
Government  alone  can  give  them,  navigators  will  not 
repose  confidence  in  their  tables.  An  observatory  to 
be  useful  must  be  national ;  and  it  is  a  reproach  to  a 
people,  second  to  none  in  commercial  enterprise,  and 
inferior  to  one  only  in  the  extent  of  their  trade,  to  be 


11 

altogether  dependent  upon  the  calculations  of  others 
for  the  requisite  tables  to  determine  their  position,  and 
to  trace  their  path  on  the  ocean — to  be  obliged  to  bor- 
row that  knowledge,  without  which  our  fleets  and 
trading  vessels  could  not  venture  to  lose  sight  of  their 
own  shores. 

This  Institution  attaches  the  greatest  importance  to 
Astronomy.  It  stands  in  the  first  rank  among  the 
sciences,  and  may,  indeed,  be  termed  the  only  perfect 
science.  It  has  contributed  more  than  any  other  to  the 
development  of  human  knowledge,  carrying  along  in 
its  progress  the  physical  and  mathematical  sciences,  as 
well  as  contributing  to  the  advancement  of  the  mechanic 
arts,  and,  in  this  respect,  acting  as  the  pioneer  of  civili- 
zation. The  science  of  astronomy  has  swept  from  the 
human  mind  the  prejudices  and  terrors  which  were 
formerly  inspired  by  eclipses  and  the  appearance  of 
comets ;  it  has  determined,  with  extraordinary  preci- 
sion, the  duration  of  the  day  as  an  unit  of  time,  and, 
counting  from  thence,  the  duration  of  the  seasons  to 
that  of  the  solar  year,  and  of  the  different  revolutions 
of  the  celestial  bodies ;  it  furnishes  to  history  the  pe- 
riods to  regulate  its  calendar,  and  positive  rules  to  fix 
the  epochs  of  its  chronology.  Possessing  the  most  com- 
plete knowledge  of  the  dimensions  of  the  solar  system, 
it  has  reached  such  accuracy  that  it  can  determine  at 
pleasure,  and  with  perfect  exactness,  what  has  been  the 
state  of  the  Heavens  at  a  given  period  in  past  ages,  and 
what  it  will  be  in  time  to  come.  By  this  wonderful 
knowledge,  the  celebrated  astronomical  ephemerides 
are  annually  produced,  by  which  the  navigator  finds  the 
movements  of  the  celestial  bodies  calculated  for  him 


12 

in  anticipation,  and  by  means  of  which  he  traces  his 
course  in  the  heavens,  and  directs  his  bark  with  safety 
towards  the  ocean's  vast  and  uniform  horizon. 

When  we  reflect  on  the  high  degree  of  perfection  to 
which  astronomy  has  attained,  the  admirable  theories 
which  direct  its  practice,  the  numerous  methods  of  cal- 
culation and  observation  it  possesses,  and  the  marvel- 
lous coincidence  which  exists  between  the  results  of  the 
actual  observation  of  phenomena  with  those  announced 
beforehand,  by  means  of  these  theories  and  methods,  we 
are  tempted  to  believe  that  this  noble  science  has  reach- 
ed the  utmost  limit  to  which  the  genius  of  man  can  ele- 
vate it.  So  far,  however,  is  this  from  being  true,  that 
at  no  period  has  the  science  been  more  vigorously  pur- 
sued ;  at  none  were  astronomers  more  numerous  or 
more  actively  employed ;  and  never  have  they  united, 
in  a  higher  degree,  the  power  of  genius  with  a  profound 
knowledge  of  physics  and  mathematics,  combined  with 
ability  in  the  use  of  the  powerful  instruments  which  the 
mechanic  arts  have  placed  in  their  hands. 

The  perfection  to  which  I  have  described  astronomy 
as  having  reached,  relates  only  to  the  solar  system — to 
that  restricted  space  in  the  heavens  occupied  by  the 
sun,  the  planets  with  their  satellites,  and  the  comets 
which  visit  it  at  distant  epochs.  The  solar  system  com- 
poses the  celestial  universe  peculiar  to  the  inhabitants 
of  this  world,  and  is  but  a  point  in  the  infinite  space 
filled  with  myriads  of  shining  bodies,  the  desire  to  com- 
prehend which  is  so  much  the  more  exciting  and  ardent, 
as  it  elevates  the  mind  to  the  contemplation  of  the  di- 
vine origin  of  all  these  wondrous  works.  Science  is 
now  occupied  with  persevering  ardor  in  this  sublime 


13 

study.  It  seeks  to  avail  itself  of  the  perfect  astronomy 
of  the  solar  system  to  comprehend  that  of  the  whole 
starry  firmament,  and,  from  the  known  dimensions  of 
the  one,  to  measure  the  unknown  dimensions  of  the 
other,  in  the  same  manner  as  from  the  dimensions  of 
the  terrestrial  globe  those  of  the  solar  system  were  dis- 
covered. The  researches  on  the  parallax  of  the  fixed 
stars,  which  leads  to  a  knowledge  of  their  distance  with 
regard  to  us;  the  measure  of  their  own  movements,  and 
especially  that  of  the  motions  of  the  solar  system  ;  the 
system  of  double  and  groups  of  stars,  the  mutual  rela- 
tions of  which  would  seem  to  afford  evidence  of  the 
existence  of  other  solar  systems ;  the  study  of  nebula  ; 
the  changes  which  certain  stars  experience  in  the  quan- 
tity of  light  which  emanates  from  them ;  why  stars, 
perfectly  known  and  described  in  the  astronomical  cata- 
logues, have  disappeared  from  their  places  and  been  no 
more  seen,  while  others  have  appeared  in  other  parts 
of  the  heavens,  where,  if  they  had  existed  before,  they 
could  not  fail  to  have  been  discovered ;  finally,  what  is 
the  physical  constitution  of  the  universe,  and  what  the 
universal  law  which  governs  it,  are  the  mighty  subjects 
now  undergoing  investigation — investigations  which 
can  be  rendered  successful,  only  by  constant  and  precise 
observation  of  the  phenomena  of  the  heavens  by  means 
of  the  most  powerful  and  exact  instruments,  aided  by 
and  kept  on  a  level  with  the  general  progress  of  science 
and  the  arts,  so  that  astronomical  observations,  profiting 
by  an  enlightened  theory,  may  reach  the  highest  pos- 
sible degree  of  exactness. 

The  least  civilized  Governments  have  understood  the 
necessity  of  prosecuting  these  investigations,    Observa- 


14 

lions  are  making  in  every  part  of  the  world  where  hu- 
man knowledge  extends;  and  astronomy  is  fostered  every 
where  with  that  liberality  and  even  magnificence  which 
the  grandeur  and  importance  of  the  purpose  demand. 
The  labors  of  the  astronomers  of  the  present  age  are 
not  sufficiently  appreciated,  because  they  are  not  seen 
and  generally  understood.  They  work,  in  the  silence 
of  the  night,  to  produce  results  for  future  ages.  It  is 
only  by  successive  comparisons,  made  at  far  distant 
epochs,  of  the  state  of  the  heavens,  well  observed  and 
described,  that  the  laws  which  govern  the  celestial  uni- 
verse will  appear,  as  the  changes  produced  by  those 
laws  operate  on  time  and  space.  These  labors  will 
form  a  basis,  a  term  of  comparison  for  the  future,  as  the 
labors  of  the  ancients,  although  much  more  imperfect 
and  limited,  have  served  as  the  means  of  comparison 
for  the  astronomy  of  modern  times.  Less  eclat,  there- 
fore, is  awarded  to  this  pursuit,  and  the  public,  dazzled 
by  the  frequent  and  brilliant  discoveries  in  other  branches 
of  natural  philosophy,  does  not  do  equal  justice  to  those 
of  the  astronomer.  The  reason  is,  that  the  time  has  not 
yet  arrived  to  bring  to  full  light  the  fruits  of  their  long 
and  patient  vigils ;  but  at  no  epoch  of  history  has  astro- 
nomy, both  theoretical  and  practical,  counted  among  its 
votaries  so  many  illustrious  men,  as  since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  century;  at  no  period  has  the  vault 
of  heaven  been  explored  with  so  much  genius,  profound 
knowledge,  ability,  and  physical  means,  as  at  this  day ; 
and  never  has  been  commenced  a  monument  to  the 
glory  of  science  and  human  intellect  more  sublime  than 
that  of  which  astronomy  is  now  laying  the  foundation. 
Shall  we  not  add  one  stone  to  this  structure?  Will  we 


15 

expose  ourselves  to  be  denied  our  just  title  of  a  moral, 
religious,  intelligent,  and  enlightened  people,  by  refu- 
sing to  inscribe  the  United  States  of  America  among  the 
names  of  the  civilized  nations  of  the  earth  which  will 
be  found  engraved  upon  the  columns  of  this  magnifi- 
cent temple  ?  Are  we  not  a  navigating  and  commer- 
cial people  ?  Does  not  our  flag  float  on  every  sea,  and 
visit  every  accessible  region  of  the  world  ?  And  shall 
we  not  have  our  national  observatory,  our  astronomical 
archives,  and  our  celestial  ephemeris?  Shall  we  any 
longer  leave  our  navigators  exposed  to  the  disgrace  of 
acknowledging  that,  without  the  astronomical  epheme- 
rides  published  in  Europe,  they  could  not  with  safety 
navigate  distant  seas  ?  I  hope  not.  I  believe  it  to  be 
only  necessary  to  point  out  to  the  intelligent  people  of 
this  country  the  usefulness,  not  to  say  the  necessity  of 
such  an  establishment,  for  them  immediately  to  appre- 
ciate the  object,  and,  so  far  as  the  powers  of  the  Go- 
vernment extend,  to  furnish  the  means  to  carry  it  into 
effect.  I  am  aware  that  this  has  already  been  ably 
done  in  a  report  on  the  proper  application  of  the  Smith- 
son  bequest,  presented  to  Congress,  at  its  last  session, 
by  a  gentleman  with  whom  I  am  happy  to  be  associ- 
ated in  promoting  the  progress  of  science.  His  long 
continued  efforts  to  establish  a  national  observatory 
will,  I  trust,  be  finally  crowned  with  success,  and  I  shall 
always  reflect  with  satisfaction  on  having,  on  the  first 
occasion  that  presented  itself,  seconded,  however  feebly, 
his  liberal  and  enlightened  views. 

Second  to  astronomy  in  its  importance  to  the  wants 
and  interests  of  navigation,  and  essential  to  those  of 
commerce,  is  Geography;  a  science  which  equally  re- 


16 

quires  the  fostering  care  of  Government.  In  this  respect 
it  has  been  more  fortunate  than  astronomy.  The  ex- 
pedition of  Lewis  and  Clark,  undertaken  by  direction 
of  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  destined  to  explore  the  route  across 
the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  that  of  the 
brave  and  gallant  Pike,  and  those  under  that  enter- 
prising officer  and  accomplished  observer  Long,  still 
further  to  examine  that  portion  of  our  territory ;  the 
coast  survey  which  is  now  in  progress  under  the  learned 
and  accurate  Hassler ;  the  exploration  of  the  country 
lying  between  the  Missouri  and  Mississippi  rivers  by 
that  indefatigable  and  scientific  traveller  Nicollet;  and 
the  expedition  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Wilkes, 
intended  to  explore  unknown  seas,  to  discover  new 
sources  of  commercial  enterprise,  and  to  point  out  the 
dangers  which  beset  the  path  of  the  navigator,  while 
it  sweeps  from  the  charts  those  islands  and  shoals  which 
have  no  existence,  save  in  the  imagination  of  former 
hydrographers ;  have  been  fitted  out  and  supported  by 
the  Government,  and  have  attracted  the  favorable  no- 
tice of  scientific  men  throughout  the  world.  The  Geo- 
graphical Society  of  France  speaks,  by  its  President, 
of  that  expedition  in  the  following  term  :  "  In  calling 
your  attention  to  the  voyages  round  the  world,  and  to 
other  maritime  enterprises  which  have,  in  our  time, 
so  largely  contributed  to  the  establishment  and  pro- 
gress of  geography,  I  have  to  observe,  that  it  is  no 
longer  from  our  old  Europe  alone  that  these  great  ex- 
peditions set  forth.  The  new  world  now  rivals  the  old. 
The  Government  of  the  United  States  of  America — 
of  that  nation  which,  in  less  than  half  a  century,  has 
taken  a  prominent  station  among  the  maritime  pow- 


17 

ers — sends  out,  in  its  turn,  an  exploring  expedition  to- 
wards the  Antarctic  pole."  There  is  every  reason  to 
hope  that  the  results  of  this  expedition  will  prove  as 
useful  and  honorable  to  the  nation  as  its  conception  was 
creditable  to  its  authors.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that 
three  national  expeditions  on  voyages  of  discovery  and 
for  purposes  of  science,  were  traversing  the  same  ocean 
at  the  same  period  ;  the  American  and  French  squad- 
rons being  in  sight  of  each  other,  in  a  stormy  sea,  on  an 
unknown  and  ice-bound  coast,  and  striving  with  each 
other  for  the  honorable  distinction  of  priority  of  disco- 
very. We  await  with  impatience  the  rich  harvest  of 
new  scientific  observation  and  physical  facts  which  the 
return  of  our  exploring  squadron  will  bring  us.  Much, 
however,  remains  to  be  done  for  the  advancement  of 
geography  in  our  country.  The  vast  inland  seas  which 
form  our  northern  boundary,  covered  as  they  are  with 
vessels,  and  teeming  with  commerce,  have  never  been 
explored  by  the  hydrographer.  The  navigator  sails 
over  them  with  dread,  for  there  exists  no  chart  to  warn 
him  of  the  dangers  he  may  encounter;  and  the  works 
erected  by  Government  along  their  shores  for  refuge  in 
times  of  storm,  are  too  incomplete  to  answer  the  pur- 
pose. As  to  the  interior  of  our  country  little  is  known 
scientifically  and  accurately.  It  may  be  said  that  it  is 
the  province  of  the  States  to  construct  maps  of  their 
several  territories.  It  may  be  so,  but  without  some 
common  centre,  from  whence  uniform  plans  and  in- 
structions issue,  State  maps  will  be  laid  down  upon  dif- 
ferent projections,  and  be  wanting  in  astronomical  accu- 
racy. A  map  of  the  United  States,  to  be  useful,  ought 
to  be  constructed  upon  an  uniform  plan,  and  under  the 
c 


18 

immediate  direction  of  the  scientific  officers  of  the  Uni- 
ted States.  Such  a  work  is  required  by  the  best  inte- 
rests of  the  country.  Its  completion  would  develop  the 
vast  resources  of  our  extensive  possessions,  enable  the 
Government  to  comprehend  all  their  relative  advan- 
tages, and  to  open  new  avenues  of  commerce.  It  would 
aid  the  emigrant  in  his  search  after  advantageous  set- 
tlements, direct  the  merchant  to  the  readiest  route  for 
the  transportation  of  goods,  teach  the  farmer  where  to 
seek  a  market  for  his  produce,  point  out  to  the  soldier 
whence  to  draw  his  supplies,  the  shortest  lines  of  com- 
munication, and  the  best  sites  for  encampment,  or  for 
the  erection  of  permanent  works  of  defence.  In  short, 
such  a  work  would  be  eminently  useful  to  all  classes  of 
our  fellow-citizens,  and  contribute  largely  to  the  com- 
merce and  security,  and  to  the  rapid  settlement  and  im- 
provement of  our  country.  All  the  Governments  of 
Europe  have  been  sensible  of  the  importance  of  geo- 
graphical knowledge,  and  trigonometrical  surveys  of 
every  empire  and  kingdom  are  completed  or  in  progress 
there.  In  those  countries  geography  was  first  culti- 
vated for  warlike  objects ;  their  maps  were  originally 
military,  and  many  of  them  are  constructed  with  such 
minute  accuracy,  that  armies  may  march  and  encamp, 
and  sentinels  be  posted,  with  no  other  knowledge  of  the 
country  than  such  maps  afford.  With  their  aid  alone 
positions  are  chosen,  and  all  the  chances  of  war  calcu- 
lated in  the  closet  as  on  a  chess-board.  By  their  means 
the  statesman  can  determine  on  the  expediency  of  open- 
ing a  canal  or  of  constructing  a  road,  and  becomes  pos- 
sessed of  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  climate,  the  struc- 
ture, and  the  physical  resources  of  the  country,  the 


19 

interests  of  which  it  is  his  duty  to  watch  over  and  pro- 
mote. We  are  without  any  of  these  advantages;  our 
maps  are  so  inaccurate,  that  large  amounts  are  some- 
times wasted  in  attempting  to  construct  roads  and  ca- 
nals which  are  found  to  be  impracticable,  or  which  lead 
to  no  beneficial  results  when  executed.  So  important 
is  this  branch  of  science  considered,  that  the  Govern- 
ments of  Europe  have  depots  of  maps  from  the  earliest 
ages,  and  that  of  France,  especially,  possesses  an  ex- 
tensive collection,  beginning  at  the  thirteenth  century. 
Societies,  too,  exist  in  their  principal  cities,  who  aid  the 
Government,  by  preparing  instructions  for  expeditions, 
whether  for  purposes  of  science  or  exploration,  them- 
selves giving  premiums  for  maps  and  charts,  and  fitting 
travellers  out  at  their  own  expense,  and  sending  them 
to  explore  unknown  regions.  In  short,  these  institu- 
tions spare  no  pains  to  encourage  and  promote  the  ends 
of  science,  and  their  success  has  been  equal  to  their 
zeal. 

Intimately  connected  with  geography,  and,  indeed, 
forming  a  part  of  it  until  it  was  lately  erected  into  a 
separate  science,  is  Ethnography.  It  consists  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  habits,  manners,  and  customs  of  the 
different  nations  of  the  earth.  Their  food,  their  dress, 
their  festivals,  marriages,  and  funerals;  the  education 
of  their  children  ;  the  rank  their  women  hold  in  socie- 
ty' by  which  the  degree  of  civilization  is  so  clearly 
defined;  the  division  of  labor  among  them;  their  mode 
of  living,  whether  by  hunting,  fishing,  or  agriculture ; 
their  traditions,  laws  and  manufactures,  and  other 
analogous  subjects,  make  up  this  important  branch  of 
science. 


20 

Philology,  regarded  in  itself  as  a  science,  is  likewise 
a  branch  of  geography.  Although  its  chief  object  is, 
from  the  variety  of  languages  which  exist  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth,  to  trace  the  history  of  mankind,  it 
tends  greatly  to  facilitate  the  commercial  intercourse 
of  the  world.  It  is  only  within  the  present  century 
that  the  various  idioms  of  nations,  not  possessed  of  the 
art  of  writing,  have  been  seriously  investigated ;  but 
great  progress  has  been  made  in  the  acquisition  of  this 
knowledge  within  that  period,  and  not  only  vocabula- 
ries, but  dictionaries  and  grammars  have  been  pub- 
lished, of  languages  hitherto  unknown  except  byname. 
Formerly,  missionaries  and  traders  alone  paid  attention 
to  the  languages  of  savage  nations.  The  former,  having 
in  view  only  their  own  laudable  objects,  kept  their  works 
in  manuscript ;  the  latter  confined  themselves  to  a  few 
meagre  vocabularies,  dispersed  through  books  of  travels, 
and  of  little  use  to  the  philologist.  At  length  "the  com- 
parative science  of  languages"  was  instituted,  and  the 
philologists  and  learned  societies  of  the  United  States 
have  contributed  their  share  to  the  promotion  of  this 
science,  by  making  known  the  forms  and  character  of 
our  Indian  languages. 

The  student  of  geography  requires  likewise  to  be 
well  acquainted  with  meteorology  and  terrestial  mag- 
netism, the  configuration  of  the  earth,  the  distribution 
of  heat,  the  movement  of  the  waters  of  the  ocean,  the 
geological  structure  of  the  soil,  and  the  geography  of 
plants  and  animals,  and  to  all  these  subjects  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Institution  ought  to  be  directed. 

It  was  proposed  at  the  last  session  of  Congress  to 
establish  magnetic  stations,  and  to  institute  a  series 


21 

of  corresponding  observations  in  the  United  States. 
Permanent  stations  for  this  end  have  been  established 
by  nearly  all  civilized  nations;  and  not  only  have 
they  been  extended  into  Asia,  Africa,  and  America, 
but  expeditions  have  been  undertaken  to  the  Antarc- 
tic seas,  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  these  researches. 
Our  exploring  squadron  was  likewise  furnished  with 
the  necessary  instruments,  and  our  officers  instructed  to 
avail  themselves  of  every  opportunity  to  make  mag- 
netic observations,  while  similar  and  corresponding  ob- 
servations were  directed,  and  have  been  carried  on,  at 
Boston  and  at  Washington. 

We  trust  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
will  not  withhold  its  further  cooperation,  but  will  en- 
able some  of  its  officers  to  carry  out  the  views  of  the 
learned  societies  throughout  the  world,  and  give  its  aid 
to  the  efforts  now  universally  making  to  determine,  with 
precision,  the  laws  of  terrestrial  magnetism. 

The  enjoyment  afforded  by  the  study  of  Natural  His- 
tory is  exhibited  in  the  zeal  with  which  the  naturalist 
pursues  his  investigations.  Poverty  presents  no  obstacle, 
and  distance  sets  no  bounds  to  his  pursuits.  Pestilen- 
tial climates  and  the  savage  wilderness  amidst  the  glare 
of  equatorial  suns  and  the  gloom  of  polar  nights,  are 
eagerly  sought  and  explored  as  fields  of  new  discovery. 
Toil,  exposure,  and  physical  ills  in  every  form,  are  en- 
dured without  a  murmur,  when  engaged  in  examining 
the  riches  of  nature,  and  when  each  step  leads  to  a  new 
and  high  enjoyment.  The  pure  and  intellectual  grati- 
fication afforded  by  pursuits  which  tend  to  the  progres- 
sive development  of  the  wonders  and  beauties  of  the 
physical  world,  would  seem  to  warrant  the  conclusion 


22 

that  it  is  one  of  the  purposes  for  which  our  faculties 
were  imparted  to  us. 

There  are  persons  who  entertain  the  opinion  that 
the  study  of  natural  history  is  only  an  amusement,  or 
the  gratification  of  an  useless  curiosity.  If  they  were 
to  examine  the  subject  more  carefully,  they  would  per- 
ceive that  natural  history  is  the  basis  of  domestic  and 
public  economy,  and  that  it  contributes  essentially  to 
the  prosperity  of  families  and  the  wealth  of  nations,  by 
the  resources  which  its  productions  offer  to  agriculture, 
to  commerce,  to  the  arts,  to  manufactures,  and  to  all  the 
wants  of  life — that  it  is  to  the  study  of  natural  history 
that  civilized  man  is  indebted  for  the  use  and  enjoyment 
of  the  best  races  of  domestic  animals,  the  abundance  of 
his  food,  the  variety  of  his  drinks,  the  comfort  and 
warmth  of  his  clothing,  the  beauty  and  solidity  of  his 
furniture,  the  remedies  which  restore  him  to  health,  the 
metals  which  multiply  his  force  and  contribute  to  his 
defence,  and  for  most  of  the  luxuries  and  enjoyments  of 
his  existence.  Cuvier,  than  whom  no  one  was  better 
able  to  give  a  correct  opinion  upon  the  advantages  of 
this  study,  says :  "  The  habit  acquired  in  the  study  of  na- 
tural history,  of  mental  classification  of  a  great  number 
of  ideas,  is  one  of  the  greatest  advantages  of  this  science. 
It  teaches  method  which  may  be  applied  to  all  other 
studies.  He  who  has  cultivated  this  science  merely  for 
amusement,  is  surprised  at  the  facility  it  affords  him  in 
disentangling  the  most  difficult  affairs.  It  is,"  he  goes 
on  to  say,  "sufficiently  extensive  to  satisfy  the  most  pow- 
erful, and  sufficiently  varied  and  interesting  to  calm  the 
most  agitated  mind.  It  sheds  consolation  in  the  bosom 
of  the  unhappy,  and  stills  the  angry  waves  of  passion." 


23 

Natural  history,  agriculture,  commerce,  and  the  use- 
ful arts,  go  hand  in  hand  ;  wherever  the  first  is  encour- 
aged, the  other  branches,  which  depend  much  upon  it 
for  their  support,  will  flourish  ;  but  wherever  it  is  neg- 
lected or  lightly  regarded,  the  other  branches  languish 
and  lose  their  value.  How  many  substances  of  rare 
materials  grow  throughout  this  vast  region  which  are 
unknown  in  the  United  States,  but  which  might  be- 
come articles  of  extended  commerce,  if  every  State  in 
the  Union  would  seriously  set  to  work  to  explore  its 
resources  in  the  three  great  kingdoms  of  nature. 

It  is  true  that  some  of  the  States  have  set  the  exam- 
ple of  geological  surveys,  and  have  made  collections  of 
mineral  and  geological  specimens ;  but  what,  for  the 
most  part,  has  become  of  these  collections  ?  They  are 
dispersed  where  neither  the  Government  nor  the  people 
generally  can  make  use  of  them.  For  the  promotion 
of  science  and  the  useful  arts,  we  require  a  central  in- 
stitution, in  which  all  the  natural  productions  of  this  vast 
territory  may  be  exposed  to  public  view,  for  the  benefit 
of  the  people,  and  which  may  contribute  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  sciences,  by  affording  the  means  of  compari- 
son with  natural  and  analogous  productions  of  other 
parts  of  the  world. 

Zoology  presents  a  subject  of  more  varied  interest 
than  any  other  branch  of  natural  history.  To  be  well 
acquainted  with  it,  requires  that  the  student  should  be 
versed  in  several  other  branches  of  science.  He  oueht 

O 

to  possess  a  knowledge  of  human  and  comparative  ana- 
tomy, and  of  chemistry,  physiology,  and  geology,  in 
order  that  he  may  understand  the  subject  of  fossil  re- 
mains and  the  formations  in  which  thev  are  found. 


24 

In  the  early  ages  zoology  was  forced  upon  the  con- 
sideration of  man  by  his  exposed  condition  and  his 
wants.  He  was  compelled  to  defend  himself  against 
ferocious  beasts  of  prey ;  to  domesticate  the  most  docile 
and  intelligent  animals  to  aid  him  in  his  labors,  and  to 
hunt  and  destroy  others  for  food  and  raiment.  For  these 
purposes  he  had  to  study  the  habits  of  beasts,  birds,  and 
fishes,  and  investigations,  originating  in  necessity,  gra- 
dually extended  into  a  science.  This  study  furnishes 
one  of  the  most  useful  and  instructive  occupations  for 
the  mind. 

Every  branch  of  this  science  is  of  the  highest  interest, 
from  the  zoophites,  the  lowest  order  of  animated  crea- 
tion, to  thevertebrated  animals,  including  man,  the  high- 
est of  the  works  of  the  Creator.  The  study  of  the  phy- 
sical structure  and  moral  development  of  man  is  most 
curious  and  instructive,  whether  we  trace  him  from  the 
simple  child  of  the  forest  to  the  perfection  of  his  spe- 
cies, which  he  has  reached  by  the  cultivation  of  the  arts 
of  life  and  by  the  light  of  religion;  whether  we  regard 
the  circumstances  which,  in  some  situations,  confine  him 
to  the  hunter,  or  to  the  pastoral  state,  while,  in  others, 
they  permit  the  full  development  of  all  his  faculties  as 
an  agriculturist ;  or  whether  we  contemplate  the  va- 
rieties of  the  species,  from  the  Caucasian,  from  which 
we  claim  descent,  to  the  American,  the  Mongolian,  or 
the  African.  The  uses  of  these  studies,  independently 
of  the  enjoyment  their  pursuit  affords,  are  to  be  found 
in  ministering  to  the  wants  and  pleasures  of  man,  and 
in  prolonging  his  existence ;  for  it  cannot  be  doubted 
that  the  investigation  of  the  comparative  anatomy  of 
inferior  animals  has  contributed  to  a  more  perfect  know- 


25 

ledge  of  the  human  frame,  and  to  essential  improve- 
ments in  the  medical  art. 

It  is  to  the  study  of  the  zoology  of  America  that  the 
efforts  of  the  Institution  ought  to  be  chiefly  directed. 
No  other  country  presents  greater  or  more  interesting 
varieties  in  the  animal  creation,  and  none  more  abounds 
in  fossil  remains.  Many  of  the  former  are  fast  fading 
away  before  the  hunters  and  trappers,  who  pursue  them 
for  food  or  for  furs ;  and  their  extinction  will  solve  the 
important  problem,  whether  the  hunter  tribes  can  be- 
come purely  agricultural,  and  maintain  themselves  by 
the  sweat  of  their  brow.  The  red  man  of  our  forests 
and  the  hunter  tribes  of  South  America,  are,  as  far  as 
I  have  been  able  to  observe,  different  from  the  agricul- 
tural Indians  that  inhabit  Mexico,  Peru  and  Chile.  The 
former  are  the  descendants  of  uncivilized  men,  hunters 
like  themselves,  and  whether  they  are  susceptible  of 
the  moral  culture  of  the  agricultural  race,  remains 
yet  in  doubt ;  the  latter,  on  the  contrary,  have  tilled  the 
earth,  and  subsisted  on  the  product  of  their  labor  from 
time  immemorial.  Physically  and  morally  these  two 
classes  have  always  appeared  to  me  widely  different, 
and  I  have  doubted  their  having  a  common  origin.  The 
aborigines  of  Mexico,  Peru,  and  Chile,  were  found  by 
their  European  conquerors  in  a  high  state  of  civiliza- 
tion. In  their  knowledge  of  the  useful  arts,  except  the 
art  of  war,  they  equalled  their  invaders,  and  their  agri- 
culture was  carried  to  great  perfection,  for  Indian  re- 
mains of  extensive  works  of  irrigation  are  still  to  be 
found  in  those  territories.  There  exists  evidence,  like- 
wise, of  their  having  been  inhabited,  for  centuries  be- 
fore the  conquest,  by  a  race  still  more  highly  advanced 


26 

in  the  arts  of  life;  and  even  within  our  own  limits, 
the  tumuli  of  the  West  denote  the  existence  in  that 
country,  at  one  period,  of  a  superior  race  to  that 
which  the  first  white  settlers  found  there.  These  are 
subjects  which  it  is  expected  will  engage  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Institution,  the  examination  of  which  can- 
not fail  to  shed  light  on  our  early  history. 

Geology  assumes  in  this  country  a  greater  interest 
than  elsewhere,  from  the  vastness  of  the  region,  from 
the  great  extent  of  its  contiguous  formation,  and  from 
its  being  a  comparatively  unexplored  field  for  sci- 
entific investigation.  It  is  important  to  ascertain 
whether  this  portion  of  the  world  has,  like  that  al- 
ready examined,  been  subjected  in  its  creation  to 
great  general  rules  of  construction,  or,  if  that  order 
has  been  departed  from,  to  know  in  what  particulars. 
Such  investigations  have  already  been  carried  to 
some  extent,  but  the  results  are  not  universally 
known;  and  the  geologist  cannot  ascertain,  with 
any  precision,  the  laws  which  govern  the  forma- 
tions of  this  portion  of  the  earth,  and  the  relative 
order  of  their  distribution,  without  some  central 
place  where  specimens  may  be  deposited,  facts 
reported,  and  all  necessary  information  obtained. 
Sensible  of  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  con- 
ferring together  to  compare  facts  and  mutually  to 
correct  theories,  the  geologists  of  the  United  States 
lately  assembled  at  Philadelphia,  arid  separated,  it 
is  understood,  with  the  intention  of  meeting  annually. 
Wherever  such  combinations  exist,  they  have  pro- 
duced the  most  beneficial  results;  and  the  existence 
of  a  museum  of  natural  history  here,  will  render 


27 

Washington  the  most  desirable  place  of  meeting  for 
the  scientific  associations  of  the  Union. 

The  great  importance  of  geology  is  derived  from 
its  usefulness.  There  is  scarcely  a  vocation  in  life 
which  will  not  feel  the  value  of  and  derive  benefit 
from  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  geological  struc- 
ture of  the  earth.  It  will  teach  the  miner  to  distin- 
guish between  deposits  which  are  rich  and  such  as 
are  sterile  in  ores;  in  what  manner  they  vary  in  dif- 
ferent formations,  as  well  as  the  varieties  and  pecu- 
liarities of  the  metals  each  produces ;  which  are  the 
most  easily  worked,  and  which  furnish  their  own 
fluxes ;  where,  from  certain  indications,  the  mineral 
vein  may  be  pursued  with  every  probability  of  suc- 
cess, and  where  its  farther  pursuit  would  result  in 
disappointment,  and  waste  of  labor  and  capital.  In 
short,  the  study  of  geology  opens,  as  it  were,  the 
interior  of  the  earth  to  the  miner,  and  enables  him 
to  predict  with  great  probability,  if  not  with  abso- 
lute certainty,  the  existence  or  absence  of  valuable 
minerals  beneath  the  surface.  This  knowledge  is 
important  in  this  country  to  all  classes;  for  emigrants, 
whether  farmers  or  mechanics,  are  interested  in  be- 
ing able  to  select  localities  in  the  neighborhood  of 
veins  or  fields  of  coal,  which  the  geologist  can  ascer- 
tain by  unfailing  indications,  and  on  the  existence  of 
which,  in  some  situations,  the  comfort  of  our  people 
so  much  depends.  Fortunately  for  us,  they  are  vast 
and  accessible,  beyond  all  precedent  in  the  old 
world,  and  form  an  element  of  the  wealth  and  power 
of  the  United  States. 

To  the  civil  engineer  this  study  is  of  the  highest 


28 

importance.  It  will  enable  him  to  point  out  locali- 
ties where  the  best  building  materials  are  to  be 
sought;  to  direct  lines  of  communication,  so  that 
they  may  run  near  the  requisite  materials,  and  avoid 
difficulties  which  might  prove  costly  to  overcome,  as 
well  as  to  bring  these  communications  within  a  con- 
venient distance  of  formations  yielding  materials  of 
profitable  trade,  such  as  coal,  iron,  and  other  useful 
metals,  and  mineral  manures. 

The  agriculturist  will  find,  in  a  knowledge  of  ge- 
ology, the  means  of  ameliorating  and  increasing  the 
products  of  the  soil,  by  enabling  him  to  discover  the 
existence  of  accessible  beds  of  the  mineral  manures, 
which  produce  such  lasting  and  beneficial  effects 
when  applied  to  the  soil. 

Indeed,  the  knowledge  of  geology  contributes,  in 
an  essential  degree,  to  all  the  useful  arts ;  and  it  is 
obvious  that  collections  of  geological  and  mineralo- 
gical  specimens,  brought  from  every  part  of  our 
country  and  rendered  generally  accessible  to  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  being  exhibited  at  the 
seat  of  Government,  will  tend  to  the  advancement 
of  knowledge,  and  its  diffusion  among  our  fellow- 
citizens. 

The  reciprocal  relations  which  exist  between 
the  several  branches  of  science  are,  perhaps,  more 
strongly  exemplified  in  that  of  geology  than  in  any 
other.  This  science  makes  every  day  large  exac- 
tions upon  other  branches,  compensating  them,  how- 
ever, by  its  discoveries  within  and  its  enlargement 
of  their  respective  circles.  It  calls  upon  the  com- 
parative anatomist  to  give  the  domain,  the  habits,  the 


29 

epoch  of  the  nondescript  skeleton.  Did  it  inhabit 
the  sea  or  the  land  ?  Was  it  carnivorous  or  herbivo- 
rous ?  It  calls  upon  the  botanist,  in  return  for  the 
trees  and  plants  which  it  discovers  and  brings  to  the 
surface,  to  say  what  soil  gave  them  root  and  nourish- 
ment, and  in  what  climate  they  existed.  It  fills  the 
cabinet  of  the  conchologist  with  disentombed  trea- 
sures, the  models  of  extinct  reigns,  and  calls  upon 
him  to  give  them  date  and  sequence.  Indeed,  it  can 
scarcely  be  described  as  one  science,  so  numerous 
are  the  problems  presented  by  it  which  demand  the 
most  minute  knowledge  of  the  tributary  branches  of 
conchology,  zoology,  botany,  hydrography,  minera- 
logy, and  general  physics. 

Among  the  numerous  sciences  which  geology  puts 
under  contribution,  none  bear  a  more  intimate  re- 
lation to  it  than  Mineralogy.  Geology  deals  with 
masses;  but  it  is  by  the  aid  of  mineralogy  that 
the  simple  elements  of  these  masses  are  unfolded, 
and  their  various  constitutions  identified.  Geology 
teaches  us  that  a  certain  mountain  ridge  is  composed 
of  granite ;  mineralogy  informs  us  that  granite  is  a 
compound  of  quartz,  feldspar,  and  mica.  When 
the  geologist  describes  the  strata  forming  the  solid 
crust  of  the  earth,  the  dykes  by  which  they  are  frac- 
tured, and  the  mineral  veins  dispersed  among  them, 
he  uses  terms  devised  by  the  mineralogist  to  indicate 
their  differences  of  character  and  condition.  Geolo- 
gy extends  its  vision  over  almost  illimitable  space ; 
mineralogy  examines  every  substance  with  a  micro- 
scopic eye.  Geology  tends  to  extensive  generaliza- 
tion; mineralogy  to  minute  specification.  Wrhat  the 


30 

geologist  finds  constituting  the  mountains,  hills,  val- 
leys, and  plains  of  the  entire  earth,  the  mineralogist 
has  before  him,  within  the  narrow  compass  of  his 
own  cabinet.  Thus,  although  apparently  separate, 
these  sciences  have  a  close  affinity  to  each  other. 

As  sciences,  mineralogy  and  geology  are  both  of 
modern  origin.  They  date  from  the  latter  half  of 
the  last  century,  and,  although  so  young,  have  al- 
ready assumed  their  position  among  the  most  exalt- 
ed of  older  origin,  and  are  deemed  equally  worthy 
to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  profoundest  minds. 
From  the  days  of  Werner,  (1773,)  mineralogy  has 
advanced  rapidly,  and  is  now  generally  and  deserved- 
ly a  popular  study.  In  most  of  the  leading  institu- 
tions in  this  and  other  countries,  it  constitutes  a  por- 
tion of  the  regular  course  of  instruction;  collections 
are  distributed  over  our  own  country,  and  many  pri- 
vate citizens  exhibit  great  zeal  in  this  pursuit.  To 
the  arts  and  manufactures  mineralogy  contributes 
many  necessary  and  useful  materials.  The  painter 
owes  to  it  many  of  his  pigments ;  the  dyer  many  of 
his  colors;  the  jeweller  looks  to  it  for  the  discovery 
of  his  most  precious  gems ;  the  chemist  for  many  of 
his  compounds;  the  mason  for  his  cements.  The 
smelter  learns  through  it  to  detect  his  ores,  the  pot- 
ter his  clays,  and  the  architect  would  often  have 
saved  himself  the  chagrin  of  seeing  his  finest  works 
passing  into  premature  and  hopeless  decay,  had  he 
been  guided  by  it  in  the  selection  of  his  materials  of 
construction. 

There  is  still  something  wanting  to  give  to  the 
science  of  mineralogy  that  further  practical  useful- 


31 

ness  for  which  it  is  so  well  adapted,  and  which,  in 
this  country,  is  so  much  needed.  Within  the  terri- 
tory of  the  United  States,  almost  every  variety  of 
mineral,  useful  or  necessary  to  the  wants  of  man,  is 
found  in  greater  or  less  abundance.  In  our  southern 
States,  gold;  in  our  western,  copper, lead,  and  zinc; 
and  almost  in  all,  iron  and  coal,  in  inexhaustible 
quantities.  Chrome,  bismuth,  antimony,  manganese, 
cobalt,  and  many  others,  are  known  to  exist,  and 
perhaps  further  investigation  will  add  platina,  tin, 
and  silver.  But  little  has  yet  been  done  to  avail  our- 
selves of  these  productions.  Mining,  as  a  profession, 
is  unknown  to  us.  Educated  as  agriculturists,  mer- 
chants, mechanics,  or  professional  men,  we  pass  al- 
most unnoticed  these  sources  of  individual  and  na- 
tional wealth.  The  time  has  surely  arrived  for  turn- 
ing our  attention  to  them.  If  we  are  not  to  await  their 
slow  development  under  the  pressing  necessity  of 
our  wants,  we  must  begin  at  once  to  induce  persons 
to  enter  on  this  new  pursuit,  by  educating  them  for  it. 
Geology  and  mineralogy,  thoroughly  taught,  will  en- 
able them  to  undertake  the  search  after  these  hidden 
resources  with  every  prospect  of  success.  Geology 
will  point  out  the  places  in  wrhich  they  are  to  be 
found ;  mineralogy  wrill  detect  them  amidst  the  use- 
less materials  by  which  they  may  be  surrounded. 

It  is  not  to  the  practical  miners  of  Europe,  or  of 
other  countries,  that  we  ought  to  look  for  improve- 
ment in  the  profession  of  mining.  In  so  important  a 
matter  we  must  depend  upon  ourselves.  We  are 
capable  of  accomplishing  it,  and  should  not  hesitate 
to  set  about  it.  Our  people  have  no  superstitious  in- 


32 

fluences  to  overcome,  and  while  they  are  free  to  re- 
ceive and  ready  to  embrace  instruction  in  other  mat- 
ters, there  is  no  reason  why  they  should  not  be  en- 
lightened in  this. 

It  is  believed  that  the  most  powerful  agent  to  effect 
this  beneficial  design  will  be  the  existence  of  an  ex- 
tensive cabinet,  at  the  seat  of  Government,  of  speci- 
mens of  geology  and  mineralogy,  drawn  from  every 
portion  of  our  territory,  and  so  arranged  as  to  pre- 
sent, at  one  view,  all  the  mineral  resources  of  each 
particular  State,  and  where  these  important  sciences 
may  be  taught  by  courses  of  lectures,  which,  together, 
will  form  a  school  of  mining  that  cannot  fail  to  be 
extensively  useful,  and  lead  to  the  early  and  full  de- 
velopment of  this  great  source  of  individual  pros- 
perity and  national  wealth. 

Botany  has  undergone  such  great  and  important 
changes  since  the  close  of  the  last  century,  as  to  alter 
entirely  the  character  of  the  science ;  changes  which 
are  due,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  improvements  in 
the  construction  of  the  microscope,  to  the  discoveries 
in  vegetable  chemistry,  and  to  the  exchange  of  arti- 
ficial methods  of  arrangement  for  an  extended  system 
of  natural  affinities.  The  adoption  of  the  philosophi- 
cal views  of  Gothe,  together  with  the  recognition  of 
an  universal  unity  of  design  throughout  the  vegetable 
world,  have  likewise  largely  contributed  to  give  to 
this  science  its  present  highly  improved  condition. 

A  certain  degree  of  knowledge  in  botany  is  de- 
sirable to  every  one.  It  leads  to  a  comprehension 
of  the  properties  and  uses  of  the  trees  of  our  forests, 
and  teaches  to  distinguish  wholesome  from  delete- 


33 

rious  plants,  as  well  as  to  discover  those  that  possess 
medicinal  properties,  which  abound  in  our  country. 
Although  not  enumerated  among  the  principal  de- 
partments of  science  into  which  the  Institution  is 
organized,  the  importance  of  it  has  not  been  over- 
looked. It  will  be  one  of  the  most  cherished  objects 
of  the  National  Institution,  to  establish,  at  some  fu- 
ture day,  a  botanic  garden,  where  plants  of  every 
country  and  every  clime  may  be  introduced,  and 
their  properties  studied. 

In  none  other  of  the  wonderful  works  of  God  are 
to  be  seen  stronger  evidences  of  beneficent  design 
than  in  the  propagation,  growth,  life,  and  death  of 
plants ;  and  the  pursuits  of  the  botanist  are  not  only 
useful,  pleasing,  and  healthful,  but  are  calculated  to 
elevate  his  thoughts  "from  nature  up  to  nature's 
God.' 

It  is  difficult  to  understand  any  physical  science  or 
useful  art  without  the  aid  of  Chemistry;  and  the  In- 
stitution has  very  properly  devoted  an  entire  section 
to  this  science.  By  its  means,  the  component  parts 
of  all  substances  become  known,  whether  mineral, 
vegetable,  or  animal,  of  air  or  of  water.  It  teaches 
us  to  detect  those  which  are  deleterious,  and  to  com- 
pound such  as  are  healthful.  It  guides  the  manu- 
facturer in  the  preparation  of  the  various  materials 
of  his  art,  and  the  agriculturist  in  the  application  of 
manures  which  give  fruitfulness  to  barren  and  worn 
out  soils. 

Chemistry,  although  it  owes  its  origin  to  the  la- 
bors of  the  ancient  alchymists,  is,  as  a  separate  sci- 
ence, of  modern  date.  The  great  improvements  and 


34 

discoveries  which  render  it  so  important  an  auxiliary 
to  kindred  sciences,  and  to  the  useful  arts,  were 
made  towards  the  close  of  the  last  century,  since 
which  period  its  advancement  has  been  wonderfully 
rapid.  It  is  intimately  connected  with  geology  and 
mineralogy,  and  without  its  aid  those  sciences  would 
be  incomplete.  We  owe  to  it  some  of  the  most  useful 
and  beneficial  applications  of  science  to  the  arts,  and 
it  may  be  considered  as  the  foundation  of  technology. 
With  a  view  to  promote  the  principal  object  of  its 
creation,  the  Institution  has  devoted  one  section  to 
the  application  of  science  to  the  useful  arts.  Tech- 
nology, the  name  given  to  the  science  which  teaches 
this  application,  is  not  found  in  the  encyclopedias 
and  works  of  a  similar  character  published  fifty  years 
ago,  and  until  that  period  the  application  of  the  prin- 
ciples and  discoveries  of  science  to  the  useful  arts 
was  not  pursued  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  it  a 
constituent  part  of  the  operations  of  the  manufac- 
turer. The  foundation  of  this  science  has,  however, 
since  then  been  solidly  laid,  and  in  the  rapid  pro- 
gress of  discovery  within  that  period  we  have  the 
promise  of  a  noble  superstructure.  We  are  indebted 
to  France  for  the  first  impulse  given  to  this  pursuit, 
and  it  appears,  from  the  late  able  report  of  Professor 
Bache,  that  Prussia  and  other  Germanic  States  have 
established  institutions  for  teaching  technology.  The 
only  college  in  the  United  States  in  which  courses  of 
lectures  on  this  branch  are  given,  is,  I  believe,  that 
of  Cambridge,  in  Massachusetts.  These  have  been 
continued  nearly  twenty  years  under  a  bequest  of 
the  late  Count  Rumford.  In  the  Franklin  Institute, 


35 

also,  valuable  lectures  have  been  delivered;  still  but 
little,  comparatively,  has  been  effected  towards  dif- 
fusing this  knowledge  among  the  working  classes  of 
this  country. 

In  civil  engineering,  now  become  a  branch  of  uni- 
versal importance,  scarcely  a  step  can  be  taken  with- 
out the  guidance  of  mathematical  and  mechanical 
science.  A  Brindley  may  occasionally  appear  with 
intuitive  genius,  arid  accomplish  wonders  of  art,  but 
such  an  example  stands  only  as  an  exception  to  the 
rule,  if  it  really  be  one,  for  it  might  be  shown  that 
even  his  extraordinary  genius  was  not  a  perfect  sub- 
stitute for  those  scientific  principles  which  are  the 
guide  of  the  engineer.  An  individual  who  undertakes 
the  construction  of  either  civil  or  military  \vorks  with- 
out a  scientific  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  hydrosta- 
tics, hydraulics,  and  pneumatics,  the  stress,  pressure, 
and  other  properties  of  the  materials  employed  or 
operated  upon  by  him,  will  probably  fail  in  them,  as 
is  evinced  by  the  experience  of  almost  every  day. 

The  invention  of  ihe  steam  engine,  which  has  been 
justly  denominated  "a  present  from  science  to  the 
arts,"  illustrates  fully  the  importance  of  this  know- 
ledge. Had  Watt  been  merely  a  handy  and  intelli- 
gent workman,  those  beautiful  combinations  which 
render  this  the  most  perfect  of  human  devices,  could 
never  have  been  devised  by  him.  It  was,  doubtless, 
to  the  combination  of  scientific  knowledge  with  me- 
chanical skill,  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  fruits  of 
his  labors.  Many  improvements  have  been  since 
made  by  others  in  the  details  of  the  steam  engine, 
but  its  leading  principles  remain  unchanged. 


36 

To  the  union  of  scientific  knowledge  and  practical 
skill  we  are  likewise  indebted  for  that  valuable  in- 
strument, the  refracting  telescope,  which,  for  most 
purposes,  has  superseded  the  reflector.  In  the  con- 
struction of  this  instrument,  Dollond  accomplished 
what  even  Newton  had  given  up  as  unattainable;  the 
result,  not  of  mere  ingenuity,  but  of  that  combination 
of  science  with  art  by  which  ends  are  attained  to 
which  we  should  never  be  led  by  any  chance  or  ac- 
cident. 

As  I  had  occasion  before  to  observe,  the  pro- 
gress made  in  astronomy,  navigation,  geography, 
and  the  kindred  sciences,  are  due  immediately  to  the 
perfection  of  the  instruments  prepared  by  the  me- 
chanician ;  but  these  instruments  owe  their  perfec- 
tion, if  not  their  very  existence,  not  to  mechanical 
skill  alone,  but  to  mechanicians  whose  minds  are 
deeply  imbued  with  the  principles  of  the  science 
for  the  advancement  of  which  those  instruments  were 
to  be  employed — men  who  fully  comprehended  the 
nature  of  the  ends  to  be  attained,  and  could  them- 
selves apply  the  instruments  they  had  made,  without 
which  knowledge  they  could  not,  in  many  instances, 
have  constructed  them.  It  is  to  the  philosophical 
and  mathematical  makers  of  philosophical  and  math- 
ematical instruments,  that  the  several  national  ob- 
servatories are  indebted,  in  a  great  measure,  for  the 
value  of  their  observations. 

The  application  of  chemistry  to  the  arts,  before  al- 
luded to,  would  probably  afford  examples  of  the  value 
of  the  alliance  between  science  and  the  arts  more  nu- 
merous than  those  furnished  by  mechanical  philoso- 


37 

phy.  The  minute  accuracy  of  modern  chemical  analy- 
sis has  made  us  intimately  acquainted  with  the  actual 
composition  of  most  of  the  bodies  upon  which  we 
have  occasion  to  operate.  Upon  this  accurate  know- 
ledge of  the  chemical  constitution  of  bodies  was 
founded  the  discovery  of  the  uniform  combination 
of  the  constituents  of  compounds  in  definite  propor- 
tions, and  the  construction  of  the  tables  of  chemical 
equivalents;  a  discovery  which  introduced  a  degree  of 
certainty  in  carrying  on  the  thousand  arts  dependent 
upon  chemical  action,  which  could  not  have  been 
attained  by  experience  and  observation  alone,  how- 
ever skilfully  conducted.  The  chemical  manufac- 
turer who  is  ignorant  of  this  discovery,  or  does  not 
apply  it  in  the  prosecution  of  his  art,  is  like  a  ma- 
riner at  sea  without  compass  or  quadrant. 

I  cannot  forbear  to  notice  here  three  very  recent 
and  valuable  discoveries  in  the  application  of  science 
to  the  useful  arts,  each  of  which  is  of  a  very  striking 
character.  I  mean  the  daguerrotype,  the  electro- 
type, and  the  electro-magnetic  telegraph.  By  the 
former,  we  are  supplied  with  pictures  of  the  works 
of  nature  and  of  art,  imprinted  by  the  rays  of  light 
with  a  minute  accuracy  that  cannot  be  attained  by 
the  best  directed  pencil  in  the  hands  of  the  artist. 
By  the  second,  medals,  engravings,  sculptures,  and 
many  other  works  of  art,  may  be  multiplied  to  an  in- 
definite extent,  and  with  perfect  faithfulness,  by  a 
process  the  most  simple.  To  what  extent  this  elec- 
tric action  upon  metallic  solutions  may  be  carried,  it 
is  impossible  to  foresee;  but  it  has  been  recently  ap- 
plied to  the  gilding  of  metals,  and  is  likely  to  super- 


38 

setle  all  other  processes  of  gilding  hitherto  in  use. 
And  by  the  last,  a  skilful  combination  of  electricity 
and  magnetism  conveys  intelligence  from  post  to 
post,  however  distant,  with  perfect  accuracy  and  with 
the  speed  of  light. 

This  rapid  view  of  the  advantages  of  technology, 
although,  from  the  limited  nature  of  this  address, 
necessarily  imperfect,  will  show  the  importance  of 
its  being  embraced  in  any  system  intended  to  diffuse 
useful  knowledge  among  our  fellow-citizens. 

This  Institution  has  allotted  one  entire  division  to 
Agriculture.  This  must  be  considered  the  most  im- 
portant, as  it  is  the  most  necessary  of  the  useful  arts, 
as  well  as  the  most  essential  to  our  existence  in  a 
state  of  civilization.  The  hunter  or  the  shepherd 
can  do  no  more  than  supply  himself  and  his  children 
with  food.  Such  a  people  have  no  surplus  for  those 
who  follow  other  pursuits ;  whereas  in  an  agricultu- 
ral community  a  portion  of  the  people  only  are  en- 
gaged in  raising  grain  and  cattle  to  supply  the  re- 
mainder with  food,  who,  in  their  turn,  are  employed 
in  the  useful  or  fine  arts,  or  in  the  pursuits  of  litera- 
ture and  science ;  and  it  may  be  safely  asserted  that 
the  degree  of  civilization  in  any  country  will  be  in 
proportion  to  the  perfection  of  its  agriculture.  Cicero 
says,  "  there  is  no  better  pursuit  in  life,  none  more 
full  of  enjoyment,  or  more  worthy  a  freeman,"  and 
surely  there  is  none  which  contributes  more  largely 
to  the  wealth  and  independence  of  a  country.  Like 
all  the  useful  arts,  it  is  dependent  upon  science  for 
its  perfection.  Sir  Humphrey  Davy's  work  upon 
agricultural  chemistry  shows  its  intimate  connection 


39 

with  that  science,  and  we  have  already  remarked  the 
application  of  geology  to  its  uses.  One  of  the  great- 
est improvements  of  farming  in  modern  times,  so 
fruitful  in  improvements  of  every  kind,  is  the  free 
use  of  mineral  manures.  Lime,  in  some  form  or  other, 
must  enter  into  the  composition  of  every  soil,  to  ren- 
der it  fertile ;  and  where  the  chemist  fails  to  detect 
it  in  the  land,  he  supplies  it  artificially.  A  know- 
ledge of  the  analysis  of  soils  is  therefore  necessary 
to  every  good  farmer.  The  use  of  mineral  manures 
is  beginning  to  be  well  understood,  and  to  be  gene- 
rally practised  in  our  country;  but  there  are  two 
things  that  appear  either  not  to  be  fully  comprehend- 
ed, or  not  to  be  sufficiently  brought  into  successful 
operation;  the  one  is  to  make  a  given  quantity  of 
land  yield,  for  a  series  of  years,  the  maximum  amount 
of  produce  it  is  capable  of  by  high  culture  and  a  ju- 
dicious rotation  of  crops,  and  the  other  is  the  art  of 
irrigation.  The  great  economy  of  making  a  small 
portion  of  land  yield  as  much  as  a  large  one,  must 
be  too  obvious  to  require  explanation,  arid  the  man- 
ner of  effecting  this  important  object  is  to  be  learned 
by  the  application  of  scientific  principles  to  husband- 
ry. The  wonderfully  fertilizing  effect  of  water  has 
been  understood  for  ages,  and  the  art  of  irrigation 
has  been  practised  from  time  immemorial.  The 
scriptures  are  filled  with  beautiful  poetical  allusions 
to  this  art,  which  proves  its  antiquity,  and  it  is  still 
practised  in  every  part  of  Asia,  throughout  the  south 
of  Europe,  and  in  that  portion  of  America  settled  by 
the  Spaniards.  In  those  countries  are  seen  extensive 
works  of  irrigation,  and  where  the  depth  of  the  bank 


40 

of  the  river  and  the  low  level  will  not  allow  canals 
being  taken  out  for  the  purpose,  the  Persian  wheel, 
an  instrument  of  great  power  and  antiquity,  is  used. 
Often,  indeed,  water  is  drawn  by  this  means  from 
deep  wells,  to  irrigate  the  fields,  while  in  our  finely 
watered  country  this  great  advantage  is  neglected. 
I  have  traversed,  in  a  period  of  drought,  the  rich 
and  fertile  valleys  of  Virginia,  and  seen  the  corn  and 
grass  perishing  for  want  of  moisture,  while  a  bounti- 
ful stream  ran  gurgling  along  the  side  of  the  hill, 
wanting  only  to  be  tapped  to  restore  the  withering 
plants  and  scorched  grass  to  new  life  and  vigor.  In 
the  South,  irrigation  is  practised  in  the  cultivation  of 
rice,  but  only  in  the  low  country,  by  means  of  the  ebb 
and  flow  of  the  tide,  and  for  that  plant  alone.  With 
this  exception,  there,  as  elsewhere  throughout  our 
country,  the  farmers  do  not  avail  themselves  of  the 
great  natural  advantages  they  enjoy  in  having  the 
means  of  irrigation  within  their  reach,  but  trust  alto- 
gether to  the  uncertain  seasons.  As  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  this  art  would  more  than  double  our  agri- 
cultural products  with  the  same  labor,  this  Institution 
will  confer  a  benefit  on  their  fellow-citizens,  by  in- 
structing them  in  the  best  methods  of  watering  and 
draining  their  fields.  In  the  south  of  Europe  canals 
of  irrigation  have  been  constructed  by  the  ablest 
engineers  of  the  age,  and  I  cannot  but  think  that  our 
own  civil  engineers  would  find  their  account  in  be- 
coming acquainted  with  this  art,  while  at  the  same 
time  they  might  render  an  invaluable  service  to  their 
country. 

Entomology,  which  teaches  the  nature  and  habits 


41 

of  insects,  is  an  important  branch  of  natural  history 
to  the  planter  and  farmer.  It  will  enable  him  to  pro- 
tect his  fruit  trees,  his  grain  and  cotton  fields,  from 
their  ravages ;  and  an  acquaintance  with  ornitholo- 
gy will  aid  him  to  distinguish  what  birds  serve  as 
auxiliaries  for  this  purpose. 

It  will  be  the  duty  of  this  Institution,  likewise,  to 
use  its  best  endeavors  to  introduce  into  our  country 
new  varieties  of  wholesome,  nutritious,  and  pleasant 
articles  of  food.  With  our  extended  commerce,  this 
duty  may  be  readily  performed;  and  here  let  me  remark, 
that  agriculture  has  attained  a  high  degree  of  perfection 
only  among  great  commercial  nations.  The  two  arts 
depend  mutually  upon  each  other,  and  the  cultivation 
of  the  one  leads  to  the  extension  and  advancement  of 
the  other. 

In  astronomy,  geology,  mineralogy,  and  the  various 
other  branches  of  natural  history  and  sections  into  which 
our  Institution  is  divided,  our  labors  must  bear  a  near  re- 
semblance to  those  of  similar  societies  elsewhere.  But 
the  duties  that  devolve  upon  the  department  of  Ameri- 
can History  and  Antiquities  are  essentially  different  from 
those  required  in  any  other  quarter  of  the  globe.  While 
in  the  early  history  of  those  nations,  the  historian,  com- 
pelled to  grope  his  way  through  a  labyrinth  of  barba- 
rism, ignorance,  and  fiction,  is  bewildered  in  his  search 
after  truth,  the  light  of  science,  dawning  upon  the  whole 
course  of  American  history,  points  out  to  the  careful  in- 
vestigator a  safe  and  illumined  path  from  the  great  new 
continent  in  the  south  back  to  the  island  of  St.  Salvador. 

The  discovery  of  our  continent ;  its  first  settlements ; 
the  growth  of  the  colonists  in  intelligence,  wealth,  and 


42 

love  of  freedom;  the  triumph  over  oppression;  the  esta- 
blishment of  a  republican  Government,  and  the  subse- 
quent proof  of  its  happy  adaptation  to  the  wants  of, 
man,  are  all  subjects  peculiar  to  the  history  of  our  own 
nation,  and  are  now  being  illustrated  and  treated  with 
equal  industry  and  ability,  and  by  master  hands.  The 
documentary  history  of  that  revolution  which  secured 
to  us  and  to  our  posterity  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty,  now  being  published  through  the  en- 
lightened liberality  of  Congress,  has  been  collected  by 
Mr.  Force,  of  this  city,  through  whose  zeal  and  un- 
tiring industry  every  document  of  a  publick  nature  has 
been  collected  which  tended  to  prepare  and  carry  on 
that  revolution,  and  he  is  gathering  together  every  inte- 
resting material  calculated  to  illustrate  this  great  event ; 
while  the  luminous  pages  of  Mr.  Bancroft  contain  al- 
ready an  admirable  account  of  the  early  settlement  and 
colonial  history  of  our  country,  and  give  promise  of  a 
work  far  surpassing  any  other  that  has  appeared,  in  pro- 
found research,  in  brilliancy  and  beauty  of  style,  and 
in  every  quality  which  can  interest  and  gratify  the  his- 
torian, and  secure  his  confidence  in  its  truth  and  faith- 
fulness. Both  of  these  gentlemen,  I  am  happy  to  say, 
are  members  of  our  Institution. 

It  will  be  our  province  to  aid  the  societies  already 
formed  in  the  United  States  in  collecting  and  preserving 
such  materials  as  may  develop  and  substantiate  the  truth 
of  the  events  of  our  history ;  and  especially  will  it  be 
our  duty  to  inquire  into  that  of  the  people  we  have  dis- 
posessed.  We  are  only  the  settlers  of  this  continent. 
Who  are,  and  whence  came  its  aborigines  ?  The  In- 
dian race,  now  fading  from  the  earth ;  their  mounds 
and  pyramids,  and  temples  and  ruined  cities;  their 


45 

various  revolutions  and  states  of  society,  have  long  been 
subjects  of  investigation,  and  to  assist  in  tracing  this 
mysterious  people  from  their  present  degraded  condi- 
tion up,  through  days  of  glory,  to  their  origin,  is  a  duty 
that  belongs  to  the  department  of  American  history  and 
antiquities.  Fortunately  for  our  infant  Institution  this 
department  is  well  composed  and  well  organized.  An 
association  of  individuals  devoted  to  historical  re- 
searches, with  enlightened  liberality,  joined  the  Insti- 
tution upon  its  formation,  and  transferred  to  it  their 
books,  and  the  valuable  records  of  their  transactions. 
They  have  since  continued  their  labors  under  the  au- 
spices of  this  association,  and  from  the  industry  and 
intelligence  which  have  hitherto  marked  their  investi- 
gations, there  is  reason  to  calculate  upon  results  emi- 
nently useful  to  the  public  and  honorable  to  the  Insti- 
tution. These  investigations  will  be  essentially  aided 
by  the  historical  researches  now  making  by  a  very  able 
and  distinguished  American  writer,  (if  I  am  rightly  in- 
formed,) into  the  records  of  our  sister  republic  of  Mex- 
ico. That  portion  of  this  continent  was  inhabited  by 
an  agricultural  and  civilized  race  at  the  period  of  its 
conquest  by  Cortez,  and  there  exists  some  painted  me- 
morials that  would  seem  to  indicate  their  early  immi- 
gration and  settlement.  The  followers  of  the  Spanish 
conqueror,  and  especially  the  Catholic  clergy,  who  were 
indefatigable  in  their  efforts  to  spread  the  light  of  Chris- 
tianity throughout  that  country,  had  great  opportunities 
of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  traditionary  lore  of 
this  simple  people,  and  have  doubtless  left  valuable  re- 
cords behind  them.  That  the  southern  portion  of  Mex- 
ico, at  least,  was  inhabited  by  a  still  superior  race  long 
prior  to  the  conquest,  is  sufficiently  shown  by  the  ruins 


44 

of  cities,  of  palaces  and  temples,  in  the  most  southern 
provinces  bordering  on  Guatemala.  Whether  they 
were  overpowered  and  destroyed  by  the  red  men,  whbse 
march  is  indicated  by  their  rude  devices  as  from  north 
to  south,  and  whether  either  had  any  connection  with 
the  aborigines  we  have  displaced,  are  subjects  of  great 
interest  to  the  American  historian ;  and  we  congratu- 
late ourselves  that  they  will  be  investigated  by  one  who 
has  given  such  evidence  of  his  industry  and  capacity 
as  the  accomplished  author  of  "Ferdinand  and  Isa- 
bella." 

The  last  section,  that  of  Literature  and  the  Fine  Arts, 
cannot  be  treated  worthily  without  exceeding  very  much 
the  limits  of  this  discourse.  The  importance  of  culti- 
vating and  using  our  utmost  efforts  to  improve  the  lite- 
rature of  our  country,  must  be  apparent  to  all.  It  is 
the  vehicle  of  science,  and  upon  its  character  the  dig- 
nity and  reputation  of  a  nation  depend.  It  exercises  a 
controlling  influence  on  the  public  liberties.  The  pa- 
triotic citizen  who  would,  either  in  the  forum  or  through 
the  press,  warn  his  fellow-citizens  of  impending  danger, 
or  enlighten  them  on  their  interests — who  would  dissi- 
pate ignorance,  correct  error,  or  reform  abuse — must 
borrow  the  tones  and  wield  the  energies  of  literature. 
Our  freedom  reposes  on  the  guarantee  of  our  political 
institutions ;  and  who  can  wrest  them  from  our  pos- 
terity, with  a  competent  literature  to  inculcate  and  vin- 
dicate its  doctrines  and  principles,  and  to  proclaim  its 
rights  ? 

Literature  and  the  fine  arts  go  hand  in  hand.  The 
flourishing  condition  of  the  first  is  a  sure  prelude  to  the 
advancement  of  the  latter ;  and  their  united  influence 
add,  in  a  high  degree,  to  the  enjoyment  of  human  ex- 


46 

istence.  Their  progress  has  every  where  kept  pace 
with  that  of  the  moral  and  social  condition  of  mankind, 
and  their  history  marks,  with  unerring  truth,  the  rise 
and  fall  of  nations.  In  tracing  that  history,  it  is  grati- 
fying to  perceive  that  while  literature  and  the  arts  con- 
tribute so  largely  to  improve  and  refine  mankind,  they 
have  flourished  most  in  those  countries  where  free  in- 
stitutions prevailed,  and  where  liberty  loved  to  dwell. 
In  other  countries,  a  taste  for  literature  and  the  fine 
arts  is  confined  to  a  favored  few — the  aristocracy  of 
birth,  of  wealth,  or  of  talent ;  and  there  such  a  distri- 
bution is  natural  and  may  be  sufficient,  because  these 
classes  alone  govern  those  countries,  //ere,  the  people 
reign — all  power  is  centred  in  them ;  and  if  we  would 
have  them  not  only  maintain  their  ascendency,  but  use 
their  power  discreetly,  no  expense  or  pains  should  be 
spared  to  inspire  them  with  a  love  of  literature,  and  a 
taste  for  the  fine  arts.  To  effect  this,  the  effort  must 
be  made  here.  It  must  originate  at  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment, and  spread  from  this  place  over  the  populous 
plains  and  fertile  valleys  of  the  land.  Could  a  greater 
curse  fall  upon  this  country  than  that  the  sons  of  the 
intelligent,  and  enlightened,  and  virtuous  men  who 
achieved  our  independence  and  secured  our  freedom, 
should  become  less  intelligent,  less  enlightened,  and  less 
virtuous  than  their  sires  ?  That  these  valleys  and  plains, 
instead  of  teeming  with  a  race  burning  with  the  love 
of  freedom,  and  ever  ready  and  able  to  vindicate  their 
rights,  should  be  filled  by  a  people  supine  and  ignorant, 
the  fitting  tools  of  demagogues  and  tyrants  ? 

In  a  free  country,  literature  may  and  will  flourish  by 
the  well  directed  efforts  of  individuals ;  but  the  arts  re- 
quire the  protecting  hand  of  Government.  They  owe 


46 

their  origin,  their  progress,  and  their  present  condition 
to  that  source  and  to  religions  enthusiasm.  Their  first 
object  was  to  personify  the  god-like  forms  of  heathen 
idolatry,  and  to  hand  down  to  posterity  the  image  of 
the  heroes  to  whom  a  nation  owed  its  gratitude.  They 
subsequently  became  the  means  of  recording  the  mira- 
cles of  the  true  faith,  and  of  spreading  the  history  of 
the  Christian  church  over  the  world.  In  our  favored 
land,  they  would  commemorate  the  heroic  deeds  of  our 
forefathers,  their  achievements  and  sacrifices  in  the 
cause  of  independence,  their  deep  devotion  to  the  free- 
dom of  their  country.  To  a  certain  extent,  this  has 
been  effected  by  the  liberality  of  Government ;  statues 
have  been  erected,  paintings  executed,  and  medals  struck 
by  orders  of  Congress.  Copies  of  such  pictures,  statues, 
and  medals,  should  be  spread  far  and  wide  over  the  land, 
that  they  may  penetrate  into  every  hamlet,  and  inspire 
the  people  universally  with  gratitude  and  emulation. 
From  the  advancement  of  the  fine  arts,  we  may  pro- 
mise ourselves  great  improvements  in  the  architecture 
of  our  private  and  public  buildings;  in  the  former,  a 
better  adaptation  of  the  arrangements  to  the  comforts 
and  conveniences  of  life ;  in  the  latter,  more  suitable 
forms  and  arrangements  for  the  purposes  of  business. 
We  are  led  away  by  the  imposing  appearance  of  mas- 
sive colonnades  and  splendid  porticos,  and  apply  them 
equally  to  temples  and  to  buildings  intended  altogether 
for  the  transaction  of  public  business.  This  is  a  mis- 
take which  the  more  chastened  taste  will  correct. 

A  collection  of  models  and  paintings  at  Washington 
could  not  fail  to  be  highly  useful.  It  would  aid  the 
cultivation  of  the  art  of  design,  which  cannot  be  too 
strongly  recommended.  It  multiplies  the  resources  and 


47 

enjoyments  of  the  professional  man,  and  is  an  essential 
accomplishment  to  the  architect,  the  machinist,  the  arti- 
zan,  and  the  mechanic.  It  ought  to  be  taught  in  our 
common  schools ;  and  every  mechanic  should  be  able 
to  sketch  with  accuracy  his  own  plans,  and  to  copy 
those  of  others,  so  as  to  be  able  to  profit  by  every  im- 
provement that  comes  under  his  observation. 

The  science  of  Music,  although  not  so  manifestly 
useful,  exercises  great  influence  over  the  moral  and 
social  condition  of  society.  It  is  taught  in  the  common 
schools  in  Germany,  and  there  music  constitutes  the 
chief  amusement  of  the  people.  Instead  of  hearing;  in 
their  streets  the  indistinct  roaring  of  senseless  rhymes, 
out  of  time  and-tune,  the  Germans  may  be  seen  assem- 
bled in  groups,  after  the  labors  of  the  day,  singing  in 
parts  the  delightful  music  of  their  inspired  composers, 
elevating  their  voices  in  grateful  adoration  to  their 
Maker,  or  chanting  some  of  the  spirited  patriotic  songs 
for  which  the  father  land  of  the  Teutonic  race  is  so 
celebrated.  Whoever  has  witnessed  this  contrast — 
whoever  has  been  startled  with  the  discordant  sounds 
of  the  one,  and  enraptured  with  the  exquisite  harmony 
of  the  other,  will  understand  the  advantages  that  are 
likely  to  accrue  to  the  cause  of  temperance,  of  morality, 
and  of  religion,  by  cultivating  the  science  of  music,  and 
making  it  a  part  of  the  education  of  the  people. 

I  have  thus  endeavored  to  explain  the  objects  and  im- 
portance of  the  Institution  we  have  established  at  Wash- 
ington, so  far  as  the  limits  of  an  address  will  permit, 
but  have  been  necessarily  compelled  to  omit  many  topics 
of  nearly  equal  interest  with  those  which  have  been 
treated.  Enough,  however,  has  been  said,  I  trust,  to 
impress  upon  you  the  important  advantages  which  the 


48 

people  of  this  country  would  derive  from  the  existence 
of  such  an  establishment  at  the  seat  of  Government. 

In  every  country  in  Europe,  those  who  cultivate  the 
arts  and  sciences  enjoy  the  advantage  of  finding  in  each 
capital  a  central  establishment,  such  as  we  propose. 

In  London,  the  Royal  Museum,  which  was  com- 
menced by  the  enlightened  liberality  of  an  individual, 
and  subsequently  enriched  by  similar  bequests,  and  now 
liberally  patronized  by  Government,  possesses  all  that 
is  necessary  to  protect  and  encourage  literature,  science, 
and  the  arts. 

The  society  for  the  promotion  of  science  and  the 
useful  arts  in  Dublin,  having  an  extensive  museum  of 
natural  history,  a  botanic  garden,  and  school  of  design, 
fulfils  effectually  the  objects  of  its  institution,  and  justi- 
fies the  very  liberal  patronage  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment. There  students  in  every  branch  of  science  find 
the  means  of  improvement,  and  some  of  the  most  ac- 
complished artists  in  England  have  been  instructed  in 
this  school. 

In  this  country,  we  are  best  acquainted  with  the  mu- 
seum, botanical  and  zoological  gardens,  and  liberal 
course  of  instruction,  at  iheJardin  des Plantes,  in  Paris, 
where  strangers  resort,  from  every  quarter  of  the  world, 
to  consult  the  collections  and  listen  to  lectures,  which 
are  open  to  all  who  choose  to  attend  them.  These 
courses  of  lectures  are  delivered  by  the  ablest  and  most 
eloquent  men  in  France,  on  every  branch  of  science. 
In  the  summer,  botany  is  taught  in  a  garden  abounding 
in  all  the  vegetable  productions  of  the  world  ;  zoology 
in  the  midst  of  specimens  of  every  known  animal,  and 
other  branches  of  natural  history,  with  the  advantage 
of  extensive  collections,  which  are  augmenting  daily 


49 

by  an  enlightened  and  active  system  of  exchanges ; 
chemistry  and  technology  are  illustrated  by  well  con- 
ducted experiments  and  admirably  adapted  apparatus, 
and  every  branch  of  natural  philosophy  taught  with 
clearness  and  precision,  and  explained  by  the  most  am- 
ple means  of  illustration.  These  lectures  are  attended 
by  students  who  have  completed  their  academic  course, 
and  by  men  of  science  who  seek  to  increase  their  know- 
ledge. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  a  National  Institution, 
such  as  we  contemplate,  having  at  its  command  an  ob- 
servatory, a  museum  containing  collections  of  all  the 
productions  of  nature,  a  botanic  and  zoological  garden, 
and  the  necessary  apparatus  for  illustrating  every  branch 
of  physical  science,  would  attract  together  men  of  learn- 
ing and  students  from  every  part  of  our  country,  would 
open  new  avenues  of  intelligence  throughout  the  whole 
of  its  vast  extent,  and  would  contribute  largely  to  dis- 
seminate among  the  people  the  truths  of  nature  and 
the  light  of  science. 

A  fortunate  concurrence  of  circumstances  offers  a 
favorable  occasion  to  carry  all  these  important  objects 
into  immediate  effect.  A  liberal  and  enlightened  En- 
glishman, foreseeing  the  benefits  which  would  result  to 
science  throughout  the  world,  by  its  successful  cultiva- 
tion in  the  vast  and  extensive  field  offered  by  these 
States  and  Territories,  with  enlarged  views  and  praise- 
worthy philanthropy,  has  bequeathed  a  fund  to  be  em- 
ployed for  the  sacred  purposes  of  increasing  and  dif- 
fusing knowledge  among  men.  This  bequest  will  ena- 
ble the  Government  to  afford  all  necessary  protection 
to  the  promotion  of  science  and  the  useful  arts,  without 
the  exercise  of  any  doubtful  power,  by  the  application 
G 


50 

of  the  annual  interest  of  this  fund  to  the  establishment 
of  an  observatory,  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings  to 
contain  the  collections,  and  for  lecture  rooms,  the  pur- 
chase of  books  and  instruments,  and  the  salaries  of  pro- 
fessors and  curators.  Specimens  of  natural  history  are 
rapidly  accumulating.  The  exploring  expedition  has 
already  sent  home  a  large  collection,  which  remains 
packed  away  in  boxes  in  a  room  belonging  to  the  Phil- 
adelphia museum,  generously  loaned  by  the  company 
for  that  purpose ;  and  we  may  anticipate  from  the  ability 
and  well  known  zeal  of  the  naturalists  who  accompan- 
ied it  by  order  of  Government,  that  the  squadron  itself, 
shortly  expected,  will  return  richly  freighted  with  ob- 
jects of  natural  history.  I  cannot  believe  that  after  all 
the  labor,  pains,  and  expense  incurred  in  procuring  them, 
these  specimens  are  not  to  be  brought  to  Washington, 
to  be  arranged  and  exhibited  here.  A  geological  sur- 
vey of  the  Territory  of  Iowa  was  made  a  few  months 
since,  by  order  of  the  Government,  and  numerous  val- 
uable specimens  collected  by  Mr.  Owen.  Mr.  Nicolet 
has  brought  with  him  interesting  collections  made  in 
the  country  he  visited,  and  Doctor  King,  of  Missouri, 
lately  sent  to  the  lead  region  on  business  connected  with 
the  ordnance  office,  while  there  collected  specimens  of 
minerals  which  are  likewise  destined  for  Washington. 
The  ordnance  officers  who  have  lately  returned  from 
Europe,  have  brought  with  them  numerous  specimens 
of  the  iron  ores  used  in  the  foundries  there,  and  mea- 
sures have  been  taken  to  procure,  as  objects  of  compari- 
son, those  of  the  United  States. 

Several  individuals  have  transmitted  donations  to  the 
Institution,  while  others  have  deposited  their  collections 
with  us,  from  a  desire  to  have  them  preserved,  and,  at 


51 

the  same  time,  to  benefit  science.  We  have  reason  to 
believe  that  this  will  be  extensively  done  as  soon  as  the 
Institution  is  firmly  established.  There  are  many  of 
our  countrymen  who,  like  Sir  Hans  Sloan,  the  founder 
of  the  British  museum,  look  forward  with  regret  to  the 
sale  and  dispersion  of  their  collections,  made  at  great 
cost  and  pains,  and  desiring  to  have  them  preserved 
entire,  would  deposit  them  with  an  institution  which 
will  be  as  stable  as  the  Government  that  protects  it. 
For  these  purposes,  and  especially  if  it  be  intrusted,  as 
we  hope  it  will  be,  with  the  specimens  of  natural  his- 
tory collected  by  the  exploring  squadron,  it  will  be  ne- 
cessary that  measures  should  be  early  adopted  to  have 
erected  on  a  suitable  site,  on  the  public  ground,  a  plain 
fire  proof  building,  to  contain  them,  where  the  increas- 
ing and  valuable  collections  may  be  displayed,  and  be 
examined  by  the  scientific  inquirer,  and  where  he  may 
resort  for  evidence  to  support  his  theories  or  to  correct 
his  views.  We  hope  that  this  further  contribution  to 
science  will  not  be  withheld.  The  expeditions  them- 
selves have  received  the  favorable  notice  of  every  civi- 
lized nation,  and  were  fitted  out  in  obedience  to  the  will 
of  the  people,  who  would  not  desire  to  see  the  fruits  of 
so  much  toil  and  danger  perish  for  want  of  this  trifling 
additional  expense.  We  cherish  the  hope  that  they  will 
form  the  foundation  of  a  National  Museum,  and  con- 
tribute to  spread  the  light  of  science  over  our  land. 

My  colleagues  have  already  exhibited  so  much  zeal 
and  industry,  that  they  require  no  exhortation  from  me 
to  persevere  in  their  efforts  to  promote  the  objects  of 
our  Institution,  and  in  their  contributions  to  the  union 
and  progress  of  the  arts  and  sciences.  Constituted  as 
this  Society  is,  few  of  its  members  can  bestow  their 


52 

><^  n 

whole  time  to  the  purposes  of  the  Institution  ;  but  all 
may  devote  some  portion  of  it  to  this  object.  The 
mind  requires  relaxation  from  the  labors  of  a  trade,  or 
profession,  or  the  cares  of  state ;  but,  like  the  soil  we 
cultivate,  it  need  not  be  left  for  that  period  to  grow  up 
in  noxious  weeds.  Relaxation  from  intense  application 
to  our  important  duties  may  be  found  in  the  pursuits  of 
literature  and  science.  It  is  an  error  to  suppose  that 
letters  cannot  be  cultivated  without  neglecting  the  ful- 
filment of  the  obligations  we  owe  to  our  families  or  to 
our  country.  On  the  contrary,  the  man  who  devotes 
his  leisure  to  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  will  invigo- 
rate his  mind  and  better  fit  himself  to  fulfil  his  more  im- 
portant duties,  than  if  he  had  passed  those  moments  in 
frivolous  amusements;  and  the  pursuit  itself,  by  lead- 
ing us  to  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  works  of 
nature,  cannot  fail  to  elevate  our  minds  to  the  contem- 
plation of  that  Being  who  "  in  wisdom  has  made  them 
all,"  and  to  inspire  us  with  devout  gratitude  to  Him 
who  has  endued  us  with  intelligence  to  comprehend  his 
marvellous  works. 


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